Quebec ministers, Laval mayor to remain in preventive isolation after negative COVID-19 test

Three Quebec cabinet ministers and the mayor of Laval say they do not have the novel coronavirus but they will remain in isolation as a precaution.

Transport Minister François Bonnardel, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Chantal Rouleau, the junior transport minister, all announced their COVID-19 test results on social media Wednesday.

“I am obviously relieved,” Bonnardel tweeted.

CAQ MNA Ian Lafrenière and Marc Demers, the mayor of Laval, also followed suit. Demers said the situation proves the virus is “still very present.”

READ MORE: Montreal mayor, Quebec cabinet ministers in isolation after Longueuil mayor tests positive for COVID-19

As a precaution, all of them say they will stay in preventive isolation until Sept. 16 as advised by public health.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante revealed in an on-air interview with local radio station CJAD on Wednesday afternoon that she also received negative test results.

However, Plante said she was no longer self-isolating.

At least seven local and provincial politicians went to get tested Tuesday after learning Longueuil Mayor Sylvie Parent had contracted COVID-19.

Parent had been in contact with a handful of Quebec cabinet ministers and local mayors last week, prior to experiencing mild symptoms of the virus.